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Rusty tussock moth

Orgyia antiqua

Photo by katie12
Published on Project Noah
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44.1845, -124.115

Field Notes

Description:

Many of these moths were continuously fluttering around small shore pines about 500ft from the beach. One finally landed on the underside of a pine branch and I was able to snap a pic. On closer inspection I wondered what it was doing? It seems to be mating, but I would have assumed adult moths mate with other adult moths. This one seems to be mating with something more catepillar-like.

Habitat:

Shore scrub and pines 500ft-1000ft from beach

Species ID Suggestions

Rusty tussock moth

Orgyia antiqua

Reference Link
Brian38
2

Comments (5)
Leuba Ridgway
The females don't have wings and therefore don't fly away from the hairy cocoon from which they emerge. Winged males find the soft bodied females fairly quickly and mate with them. The females lay eggs all over the hairy cocoon and die shortly after. Nice spotting with both sexes !
tomk3886
Wow for sure. I knew Tussock Moths mated like this but it did not occur to me that was what I was seeing in your pics. I didn't realize it was a Tussock Moth either.
katie12
According to the Wikipedia description, it is a male of the species mating with the short-lived pupal stage of a female. The female then lays eggs on the remains of the cocoon. Wow, strange and beautiful!
tomk3886
This moth appears to be emerging from it's cocoon. A process called eclosion.https://www.reimangardens.com/butterfly/butterfliesmoths-spread-wings-emerging/

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Moths and Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest
Photographed
PublishedSeptember 19, 2022

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